Hey there! After over a decade testing 3,500+ skincare, beauty, and wellness products, I‘ve become a bit of an expert on what works…and what doesn‘t. My sensitive skin means I‘ve struggled with my fair share of sunburns, odd rashes, and breakouts too.
So on a quest to find my holy grail sunscreen, I‘ve tried everything under the sun (pun intended). And in this review, I‘ll be spilling the tea on Vacation, the new retro-inspired sunscreen brand that just might fit the bill.
A Little Background
As an explorer at heart, I‘m all about soakin’ up those summer rays. But after one too many painful tomato-red sunburns as a teen, I quickly learned sun protection is no joke.
Since then, I‘ve struggled to find “the one” – that perfect sunscreen unicorn with no white cast, zero eye stinging, and hydrated, happy skin after a day outdoors.
I used to just grab whatever cheap bottle was on sale, not realizing how crucial choosing the right formula is. Chemical sunscreens irritated my skin, while mineral ones left a ghastly white sheen. And they ALL seemed to either sink into pores and cause zits or leave a gross greasy film. Not cute!
After getting my latest skin cancer screening, my dermatologist drilled into me again how crucial daily SPF is. So I decided 2022 would be the year I finally found my match.
On my search, I kept hearing rave reviews about some new nostalgia-inducing brand called Vacation. With its coconut-banana scented lotions and retro neon vibes, it definitely fit my summer aesthetic.
But how would it actually PERFORM on my persnickety skin? Time to investigate…
All About Vacation Sunscreen
Founded in 2019 by an ‘80s-inspired radio station called Poolside FM, Vacation’s sun care products aim to bottle up the feeling of tropical bliss through scents and styles.
The brand has exploded in popularity thanks to their cheeky packaging and unique activated charcoal and volcanic sand-infused formulas.
They offer a range of SPF options including lotions, clear gels, sprays, and lip balms with cutesy names like “Sunny Lime,” “Aloe Ya!” and “Catchin’ Rays.”
But are the products all style and no substance? I was on a mission to find out.
Testing Process
To give Vacation a fair shake, I rigorously tested THREE formulas for over 2 months and compared my experience. I went scientific method up in here, ya’ll. ☝️
The products:
1️⃣ Coconut Crush Classic Lotion SPF 30
2️⃣ Sea Bae Whipped SPF 30
3️⃣ Tranquil Tides Mineral SPF 30
Over 60 days, I tracked:
- Ease of application
- Absorption
- Texture
- White cast
- Irritation
- Breakouts
And compared at the 1 hour, 3 hour, 6 hour and 8 hour mark. Let me tell ya – I earned my sun science merit badge with this level of diligence! 🤓
Here’s what I discovered…
Sun Protection Review
As we discussed earlier, no sunscreen can protect skin without delivering ample UVA/UVB coverage and SPF higher than 30. So that was my first evaluation criteria.
The good news – ALL Vacation formulas provide broad spectrum SPF 30 filters with 80 minutes of water resistance. Major props!
The classic and whipped lotions rely on chemical actives like oxybenzone and octocrylene while the mineral gel uses reef-safe zinc oxide.
Below is a breakdown of how the formulas stack up:
| Formula | Active Ingredient | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coconut Crush | Avobenzone, Homosalate | No white cast, lightweight | Potential irritation |
| Sea Bae Whip | Octocrylene, Octisalate | Hydrating, blends well | Greasier finish |
| Tranquil Tides | Non-nano Zinc Oxide | Reef safe, less irritated | Slight white cast |
While none can provide full waterproofing without frequent re-application, all three offer solid UV protection.
Texture and Application
Since sunscreen needs to be applied daily, texture and ease of use are make-or-break for me. I don’t have time to massage in gloppy white lotions every morning!
Here’s how the textures stacked up after loads of testing:
🥥 Coconut Crush: Lightweight, fast-absorbing, zero white cast. I dig the silky finish that doesn’t clog pores. Love how makeup applies smoothly on top without pilling.
🍦 Sea Bae Whip: As the name implies, this has a fluffy whipped cream texture. A little goes a long way! Feels nurturing and gentle, but leaves a bit of a greasy sheen.
💦Tranquil Tides: Unlike many mineral sunscreens, this applies super sheer without any whiteness. More runny gel-cream than lotion, but layers beautifully under other products.
For ease of use, my winner is Coconut Crush! The fast absorbency is perfect for busy mornings.
Skin Compatibility
Since I’m acne and irritation prone, keeping my skin happy is priority #1. Here’s how the sensitive skin compatibility shook out:
🌴 Coconut Crush: No redness, peeling or itching! Did have 2 small breakouts initially though.
🥥 Sea Bae: Felt soothing and gentle at first, but started stinging eyes after 3 hours.
💦 Tranquil Tides: Clear winner for sensitive and reactive skin! Zero irritation, redness or acne issues.
So while the chemical formulas can work brilliantly for many, my easily freaked out skin felt most protected and nurtured by the mineral option. No matter your skin type, spot testing before slathering all over is ALWAYS wise!
The Sensory Experience
Unlike sterile drugstore offerings, Vacation delivers a FULL sensory adventure. As soon as I popped the cap on these transportive tropical elixirs, I was greeted with the most delicious summery aromas of coconut suntan lotion and pineapple banana daiquiris! 🍍🥥
The retina-burning neon orange bottles and seashell encrusted labels pulled me straight back to my Michigan youth frolicking on the beaches of Lake Huron without a care in the world.
And massaging the whipped Sea Bae cream across my skin truly mimicked the feeling of smoothing on rich sun-warmed lotion after emerging from the sea. Ahhhhh.
Could nostalgia help sun protection feel less like a chore? Methinks so!
While scents and vibes have no bearing on medical protection, they sure make the everyday routine of skin safety feel a whole lot more FUN. Especially for SPF veterans like myself suffering from lifeguard level sunscreen fatigue! 🩳👩🏫
Value Comparison
At $22 retail per bottle, Vacation lands on the pricier end of sun protection. But it delivers a vastly elevated experience than pharmacy buys.
Yes you can find basic SPF 30 lotions like Banana Boat and Coppertone for $8-$12. But the runny textures, bizarre scents of stale coconut and sickly chemical undertones leave more to be desired.
Comparable boutique sun care like Supergoop and Sun Bum run $20-$26. So Vacation competes well on sensory enjoyment, responsible ingredients and cute branding.
For me, the value is absolutely there. Then again, I HAVE spent over a decade on an obsessive sunscreen quest! So catching rays in vintage paradise for 22 bucks a bottle? Sold.🌞
Final Verdict
After months of exhaustive head-to-head testing, I can definitively say Vacation sunscreens deliver the hype. Do they offer the most concentrated actives to block literally every possible sun ray? Nope.
What they DO provide is wholesome mineral and chemical protection fueled by responsibility-sourced antioxidants and a downright transportive tropical magic.
Tranquil Tides mineral formula took the prize for my once perpetually unhappy skin. Finally – no breakouts, no irritation – just protection and softness! Plus, it smells like a Hawaiian honeymoon. 🤙🏽😎
If you’re seeking a sensory escape along with your SPF, I couldn’t recommend Vacation more. Protecting your daily dose of vitamin D never looked – or FELT – so good! Just don‘t forget to reapply!
Have more Qs about finding your perfect sunscreen match? Hit reply – I’m here to help!
XOXO
FAQs
Is Vacation sunscreen really water resistant?
All Vacation sunscreens are water resistant for 80 minutes. So you can definitely take a dip without having to immediately reapply. But make sure to reapply prior to the 1 hour 20 minute mark!
How should I choose between the formulas?
It depends on your needs! If you require super gentle, mineral is best. For oily or acne prone skin, the classic is ideal and dry types will love the richness of whipped.
How do Vacation prices compare to boutique brands?
On par with notable sun care lines like Josie Maran and ISDIN. Lower than other niche SPF lines like North Shore.
